Chief Nana Ogbodo, the chairman of the Enugu State Local Government Service Commission Board, has pledged that the new Board will align the local government system with the innovative initiatives introduced by the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah.
Speaking shortly after his confirmation by the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Ogbodo remarked that the “local government system has seemingly not engaged with the transformative governance ideas His Excellency has introduced in the state. Our aim is to align them with the state’s momentum, which will validate their autonomy. We will assess this through the quality of staff, their attendance and punctuality, as well as their overall productivity.”
He emphasised that under his leadership, the Board will ensure that “employment in local government is no longer a ‘job for the boys or girls’, where individuals can simply collect a salary without fulfilling their responsibilities.”
“We are committed to enacting reforms that ensure anyone working within the local government system must justify their position. With the state undergoing reorganisation, it will soon be possible for individuals to transition to the state civil service. However, many of these staff are unfamiliar with the system’s fundamentals. We will introduce them to these essential elements, ensuring that the progress being made at the state level is mirrored in the local government.”
He also expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to serve.
“We are deeply thankful to His Excellency for entrusting us with the responsibility to contribute to the momentum the state has generated, and we assure him that we will not let him down.”
Governor Peter Mbah recently named Chief Nana Ogbodo the Chairman of the Board.
This appointment is detailed in a letter addressed to the Enugu State House of Assembly, requesting confirmation of the appointees.
According to the letter, additional appointments include Hon. Peter Nnaji as Member I, Mrs. Florence Ifenyinwa Igboji as Member II, and Dr. Bathlomew Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, the former Chief of Protocols at the Enugu State Government House, as Member III.
Other members are Ambassador Amaka Nweke, Member IV, and Osondu Henry Nnaji, Member V.
The Chairman of the Board and other four members were screened by the House on Tuesday while Osondu Henry Nnaji will serve as the secretary of the Board.
